LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. Psyllium is a viscous, mostly water-soluble
fiber obtained by mechanical removal of the husk from Plantago
ovata seeds. Psyllium fiber preparations have a long history
of use as laxatives and there is also evidence that they may be
useful as cholesterol-lowering agents and for improving glucose
control in non-diabetic individuals.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky now report that psyllium
fiber is highly effective in reducing cholesterol levels and
improving glycemic control in patients suffering from type 2
diabetes. Their experiment involved 34 diabetic men with
moderately high cholesterol levels. The men were randomly
assigned to receive either 5.1 grams of psyllium (Metamucil) or
5.1 grams of cellulose placebo taken 20-30 minutes before the
morning and evening meals. The participants had their cholesterol
and blood glucose levels evaluated at the start of the study and
after eight weeks of supplementation. The evaluations were
performed during a three-day stay in a metabolic ward. The
patients consumed a standard diabetic diet (less than 30 per cent
of total energy as fat, less than 10 per cent of energy as
saturated fat, and 55 per cent or more as carbohydrate) throughout
the experiment.

Analysis of the data collected during the study showed that the
patients in the psyllium group had improved their glucose control
very considerably when compared to the placebo group. This
improvement was particularly noticeable in the measurement of
blood glucose after lunch. In the psyllium group there was a 4.2
per cent decrease in post-lunch glucose concentration in week
eight as compared to baseline (week 0). In comparison, the post-
lunch glucose level increased by 12.7 per cent in the placebo
group over the test period. Cholesterol levels were also lower in
the psyllium group after eight weeks of supplementation, 8.9 per
cent for total cholesterol, and 13 per cent for LDL cholesterol
when compared to the placebo group.

The researchers conclude that addition of psyllium to the diet is
safe and well-tolerated and significantly improves glucose control
in patients with type 2 diabetes while at the same time lowering
LDL and total cholesterol levels. NOTE: This study was supported
by the Procter & Gamble Co., makers of Metamucil.
Anderson, James W., et al. Effects of psyllium on glucose and
serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and
hypercholesterolemia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
Vol. 70, October 1999, pp. 466-73